Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

Purge of 'Crazy Libs' by Bush Civil Rights Boss Broke Law

'Commies' pushed out for 'real Americans'

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 14, 2009 3:44 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – A Bush appointee who headed the Justice Department's civil rights division blatantly violated federal anti-bias laws in his hiring policies and then lied about it to Congress, according to government authorities. An internal report quotes emails from Bradley Schlozman, who ran the department from 2003 to 2006, in which he vows to replace the "commies" and "mold spores" in his section with "right-thinking Americans," reports the Los Angeles Times.

"My tentative plans are to gerrymander all of those crazy libs right out of the section," Schlozman wrote in a 2003 email. Federal law prohibits hiring based on political affiliations, but the report found that 63 out of 65 attorneys hired under Schlozman had Republican or conservative credentials. The report also concludes that Schlozman gave false testimony to Congress on his hiring policies. The US Attorney's Office in Washington decided not to prosecute Schlozman.

Bradley Schlozman, who ran the civil rights division of the Justice Department from 2003-2006, testifies on Capitol Hill in 2007.
Bradley Schlozman, who ran the civil rights division of the Justice Department from 2003-2006, testifies on Capitol Hill in 2007.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Bradley Schlozmanswears to tell the truth before the Senate Judiciary committee in 2007.
Bradley Schlozmanswears to tell the truth before the Senate Judiciary committee in 2007.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Bradley Schlozman arrives on Capitol Hill in the summer of 2007 to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Bradley Schlozman arrives on Capitol Hill in the summer of 2007 to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

He called us 'mold spores.' That kind of us epitomizes his view. He was probably the most miserable person I ever worked for. - Joseph D. Rich, former chief of the Justice Department's Voting Rights section, speaking of Bradley Schlozman

I too get to work with mold spores, but here in Civil Rights, we call them Voting Section attorneys. - Email from former Civil Rights division chief Bradley Schlozman

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Guest
Jan 15, 2009 6:09 AM CST
What a sad, little man. Didn't CLinton get impeached for lying to Congress? Guess its ok to lie if you are Republican. Ok, got it now.
Doctor-Zaius
Jan 15, 2009 4:35 AM CST
There will be prosecutions. Enjoy.
Guest
Jan 15, 2009 12:31 AM CST
Don't forget the "Travel Office" staff that was purged because Hillery didn't like a few of them. Some of which had worked for the White House for over 20 years. OH, but thats ok.

Report slams ex-Justice official
New York Times

Report finds political, racial bias at Justice
Washington Post

Report's release delayed 6 months
Talking Points Memo

US • Politics

 
Bush administration • Department of Justice • civil rights • bias • political appointee • Bradley Schlozman

More Newser Stories

Holder to Crank Up Civil Rights Enforcement

Sheriff Joe Fires Back at Feds' Allegations

Feds: Sheriff Joe Violated Civil Rights

Cheney: Wilson Mission Was CIA 'Amateur Hour'

Cheney on Plame Leak: I Can't Recall
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne